Martin Braithwaite, the Barcelona Savior?

Barcelona is known for its deadly front line, such as Ronaldinho, Samuel Eto’o, Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez, and Neymar. Or, if you want to go way back, there were Ronaldo, Romario, and Hristo Stoichkov. They are a guarantee for at least a goal to the opponent net. The opponent defense line also needs to work extra hard just to keep up with these amazing forward players. Now, Barcelona has a new bullet for their attack. He is Martin Braithwaite.

Who is Martin
Braithwaite?

In the simplest words,
he is a former forward for Leganes, one of the football clubs in La Liga. He
was signed from Middleborough and can be said, show a promising play in
Leganes. He scores 8 of 18 goals that this club scored this season. So, he is
the most important forward player for Leganes.

Braithwaite’s playing style is similar to Eto’o. He is a physical or power type player that can win air duel, as well as fast. In the Barcelona TV interview, he said that he is also an intelligence type player. He learns the game, and move accordingly to provide a goal opportunity. He runs constantly behind the opponent defense line, which is a playing style that Barcelona needs for their forward. And, with his physic, he also a good player for set pieces or defense. https://www.maxbetsbobet.org/

How Can Barcelona Got
Braithwaite?

Many people have this
question when Barcelona has successfully signed Braithwaite, even though the
winter transfer window has been closed. La Liga has a rule, where a club in
this league can appeal for transfer when they run out player in a certain
position in the middle of the league because of injury. There is also a
requirement that the injury must hold that player out of the field for at least
6 months.

Barcelona uses this
special right because their two forward players have to take a break because of
injury. Luis Suarez, who had knee surgery, must stay outside the field for 4
months or until this season finished. Then, Ousmane Dembele also got an injury that
makes him need to rest for at least 6 months. After Barcelona confirms
Dembele’s injury, they are eligible to use this special right. And, the player
they chose to replace those two main forward is Braithwaite.

Barcelona needs to pay
18 million Euros to activate the Braithwaite release clause. There is no
information about when he can play for Barcelona. However, many people
speculate that he will have a chance to play after the big El Classico match.
So, at least, he will have a chance to play 14 matches after him sign a
contract with Barcelona.

Does Barcelona Need
Braithwaite?

The current forward
players in Barcelona can be considered enough until the end of the season.
Lionel Messi still becomes the first choice. Then, Antoine Griezmann will play
on the Suarez position as the center forward or target man. Then, there is Ansu
Fati that can play in the winger position. Braithwaite mostly will become the
substitution for Griezmann. He is suitable for that position.

Braithwaite air
ball-winner skill maybe will be useful, when Barcelona faces a tight defense
line that doesn’t allow Messi or Fati to penetrate it easily. The winger,
especially the attacking side back, can give him a nice cross that can be
converted into a goal with his header. If Quique Setién, Barcelona coach, can
optimally use his ability, Barcelona might be able to deal with the deadlock in
a match.

Braithwaite = Good Deal?

If we look at this
season Barcelona squad this club has many options that they can use to fill up
the position that Suarez leaves. For example, they had Carles Perez and Abel
Ruiz, two promising youngsters. Unfortunately, Barcelona sold them to Roma and
S.C. Braga on the winter transfer. And, they choose the 28-years old
Braithwaite over them.

Personally, this is one
of the worst deals Barcelona ever made, equal to when they buy Kevin Prince
Boateng. It seems that Barcelona management and coach have been messing around
for these past years. It started from the Neymar transfer that leaves a big
hole in the Barcelona front line. After that, Barcelona can’t find a player
that can fill the Neymar position.

Then, they also let the
young promising player go to other clubs. Moreover, they don’t give a chance to
their La Masia produced player to play in the main squad. Barcelona’s attack is
still threatening. However, we can’t say that they are deadly. They use one
pattern aka Messi-centered-pattern, and when it doesn’t work, Barcelona faces a
huge problem.

It seems that Barcelona
needs to revamp its transfer and scout department. They easily lose many
promising players and sign a player that doesn’t have a guarantee to be a
game-changer. If they keep doing it, it is not surprising, if this club won’t
be able to talk too much in La Liga or Europe.